PARIS, France — Some of Texas' most anticipated Olympians are track athletes, and we won't have to wait much longer to see them in action.
Track and Field events will kick off Thursday, Aug. 1 with men and women competing in the 20km walk race, according to the Paris Olympics schedule. Friday, Aug. 2, the action accelerates with 10 track and field events, including the men's decathlon, and the first round of women's 100-meter heats featuring Sha'carri Richardson.
Richardson, a North Texas native, is the favorite to win gold in the women's 100-meter contest, she came first in the Olympic trials in 10.71 seconds – the best time in the world this year. Despite being the favorite in her primary event and a huge asset to Team USA in the 4x100 relay, she came short of qualifying for the 200-meter race, robbing her of the chance to medal in two individual sprint events.
The 100-meter final will take place on Aug. 3.
Noah Lyles, the other big star on the Team USA track and field team will compete for a medal in the 100-meter final on Aug. 4. The 200-meter final, his signature event, is scheduled for Aug. 8. He will also run in the 4x100 relay
You can see the full schedule for track and field events on the official Olympics website.
North Texan athletes competing in track and field
- Sha'Carri Richardson - Track
- Richardson, a Dallas native, earned her spot on the U.S. Olympic Team after running a 10.71 in the women's 100-meter final in Oregon.
- Jasmine Moore - Track & Field
- Moore, born in Grand Prairie, Texas, is a Lake Ridge high alum. She'll be competing in triple jump. In 2022 and 2023 with the Florida Gators, Moore logged 15 first-place finishes across multiple indoor and outdoor championships.
- Bryce Hoppel - Track & Field
- Originally from Midland, Texas, Hoppel now resides in Dallas. The runner is the reigning indoor world champion in the 800-meter. Since 2022, Hoppel has finished first in every national championship running the 800-meter.
- Joseph Brown - Discus
- A Mansfield native, Brown will represent Team USA in discus. Brown finished third in the U.S. Olympic trials by a two-inch margin. Prior to his final throw in the qualifiers, he was in eighth place.
- Tara Davis-Woodhall - Track & Field
- Bron in Wylie, Davis-Woodhall will participate in the long jump event. She's known for wearing her trademark cowgirl hat at and around meets